Collapsible shipping-crate



F. 1. DULTMEIER.

COLLAFSIBLE SHlPPING CRATE..

APPLICATIQN F11-.ED lLlLY 124. 1:920- I I V Patented June 21, 1921.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK J'. DULTMEIER, OF MANNIN'G, IOWA.

COLLAPSIBLE SHIPPING-CRATE.

Application filed. July 12,

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, FRANK J. DULTMEIER, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of Manning, in the county of Carroll and State of Iowa,have invented a certain new and useful Collapsible Shipping-Crate, ofwhich the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a shipping crate of simple,durable and inexpensive construction adapted to contain animals or thelike for conveyance from place to place and adapted, when not in use tobe' collapsed into a compact form convenient for storage ortransportation.

A further object is to provide such a crate of peculiar make, soconstructed and arranged that the top, bottom and sides are connectedtogether when the crate is ready for use, in such manner as to hold thecrate indits open position and to properly close its en s.

Still a further object is to provide such a crate so constructed andarranged that when collapsed, the upper and lower surfaces of the crate,as collapsed, will rest-against each other, and there is providedbetween the parts of the collapsed crate a small compart-4 mentconvenient for the reception of the free parts of the crate.

Still a further object is to provide such a crate having simple meansfor holding it rigid in its open position.

With these and other objects in view, my invention consists in theconstruction, ai1n rangement and combination of my device, whereby theobjects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth,pointed out in my claims, and illustrated 1n the accompanying drawings,in which:

Figure 1 shows a Perspective view of a c ollapsible shipping crate,embodying my 1nvention.

Fig. 2 shows a side elevation of the crate in its collapsed and nestedposition.

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the crate collapsed. Y

Fig. 4 shows a detailed, sectional view taken on the line 4.--4 of Fig.1; and

Fig. 5 shows a detailed, sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

My improved collapsible crate comprises side, top and bottom members.

The bottom member, I have indicated in the accompanying drawings by tbereference character 10. This 'bottom member is neces Specification ofLetters Patent.

Patented J une 21, 1921.

1920. Serial No. 395,639.

sarily solid. The sides and top members may or may not be solid.

Underneath the bottom, near the ends thereof, are cross pieces 11.Secured to the cross pieces 1l are hinges 12, having theirV pintles andhinge lines 13 adjacent to the upper edges of the bottom 10, asillustrated in Fig. 4.

Secured to the hinges 12 are uprights `14 forming parts of the sides.The lower ends of the uprights 14 terminate iush with the' uppersurfaces of the bottom 10. There are two or more of the uprights 14 ateach side of the crate. Y

Connecting the uprights 14 near the ends of the crate on each sidethereof, 1 provide the longitudinally arranged side members 15, whichmay be spaced from each other, as illustrated in Fig. 1, and whichproject beyond the uprights 14, as isclearly illustrated for instance inFig. 1.

Arranged between the members 14 at each side of the crate and secured tothe inner surface of the lower side member 15, so as to rest flush withthe upper surface of the bottom 10, when the crate is ready fornse, is astrip 16, designed to properly close the gap between the bottom 10 andthe lower' side member 15. The two sides are preferably alike.y i

At the upper ends of the end uprightsv 14 are hinges 17 connected withtop cross members 18, as is clearly shown in Fig. 4. Two or more of themembers 18 may be employed.

The members 18 near the ends of thev crate are connected bylongitudinally arranged top members 19, preferably spaced from eachother, as is shown in Fig. 1. The top members 19 terminate flush withtheouter edges of the member 18, as is shown in said figure.

Cn the inner sides of the members 15 at their ends and spaced from themembers 14 are cleats 20, which are for the purpose of holding the endmembers or end gate members now to be described. The end gate memberswill be described as in upright po: sition and comprise in each case,spaced uprigbts 21 connectedby spaced cross members 22,- which projectbeyond the members 21, as is clearly illustrated in Figs. l and 2.

The cross members 22 of the end gate. members are of such length as toproperly be received between the opposite members of the opposite sides,as is' shown in Fig. 1.

The members 21 of each end gate member are so spaced apart as to standbetween the cleats 20 at 'one end of the crate, when the crate isassembled.

Vend of the crate, a cross member 23V adapted to be received between thetwo members 22 of the end gate member and to have its ends receivedbetween the two adjacent side members 15, as is illustrated for instancein Fig. 1.

It will, of course, be obvious that thc members 23 are of such length,that in the assembled crate, their outer ends are flush with the outersurfaces of the members 15 at the opposite sides of the crate.

In using the crate, it will be understood that oneend gate member islassembled in the crate and the other is left open until'the animal oranimals are placed in the crate, whereupon, the other end gate member isslid into position. A cotter pin or the like 24 may be extended throughone of the end gate members 21, and through what may be called thelocking member 23, as shown in Figs. 1 and 5, for preventing anyaccidental removal lof the member 23, after the crateV has beenassembled ready for use.

When it is desired to collapse the crate, the cotter pins 24arewithdrawn; the locking members 23 are withdrawn; the end gate membersare then lifted upwardly and removed from the body of the crate,whereupon the crate may be collapsed to the right or to the left, as isdesired.

In Fig.'2, I have shown the crate illustratedl in Fig. 1, collapsed tothe right, and

Ain Fig. 3, I have shown the collapsed crateV swung around, so as toillustrate l indicated by the capital A.

the end,

4It will be noted that when the crate is collapsed, the longitudinalframe members of the top and bottom and side members will make a flatupper surface and a flat bottom Y fastening tle loose parts to themainbody of surfaceT which is convenient for shipping and storage. Y

It will benoted also that the crate members of the top and sides aresoarranged as to leave a sort of central compartment for receiving the endgate members, as is illustrated for'instance in Fig. 2, and it will alsobe noted that after the gate members are so received, the `members 23may be slidl into position betweenthe members 21 of the respective endgate members for packing the entire crate in a minimum space and in aconvenient form.

A wire or similar means may be used for the crate for shipping incollapsed position.

It will be noted that my improved collapsible crate has a number ofsubstantial advantages.

It is desirable in a crate of this kind, especially one used for hogs orthe like, that the end gate members be entirely removable, so as to beused at either side of the crate for forming what might be called afence corner, or so that they may be removed entirely, so aspnet tofrighten the animals.

Furthermore by making the end gate members entirely removable, the cratemay be collapsed into a smaller space than would otherwise be possible.

The end gate members can be quickly and easily assembled or removed fromtheir installed positions. The members 23 fit snugly between the cleats20 and the uprights 14; and also between the adjacent lmembers 15 andalso between the adjacent members 22 for thereby holding the. craterigidly in its open position.

l/Vhen the crate is collapsed, it has smooth upper and lower surfaceswith no parts to be caught or to catch on other objects.

rIhe crates so collapsed can be stacked. conveniently in a minimumspace, and in shipping in an express car or the like can `be stood upagainst the wall or otherwise handled for greater convenience in suchtransportation.

In shipping stock, particularly hogsland chickens, the consignee .mayconveniently and easily collapse the crate, and it can be returned tothe consignor at a minimum transportation cost, because of the reductionin its bulk.' n v An ordinary -rigid crate is frequently used Y onlyonce, whereas a crate of this type may be used again and-again, therebyreducing cra-te expense to the stock raiser and shipper.

@n account of the collapsibility of my crate, it may be kept forinstance on a farm, and instead of being left in the yard, subject toexposure to the elements, may be collapsed and hung on the wall in anybuilding.

It will beV seen from the showing in Fig'.v 1, that the bottom 10extends at its vends flush with the extreme end of the crate, so thatthe end gate .membersl rest solidlyron the bottom 10. It may be notedalso that the cross members 22 are preferably arranged to register withand snugly fit adjacent to the respective sidemembers 15. The top, ofcourse, is short' enough to permit theAv re'- moval of the end gatemembers.

The locking members hold the end gate members against the bottom so asto prevent any sagging of the crate. f Y

These features of structure are such as to strengthenthe crate andgiveit rigidity by the bearing of the end gate members against thebottom and the side members 15.

It will be obviousthat with veryslight f purpose, it may be desirable insome cases that the Walls and top be made solid, which, of course, couldeasily be done. Y

It is my "purpose to cover by my claims any changes or modificationsinthe construction of my crate and any use of me-` chanical equivalents,which maybe reasonably included within their scope. I

l claim asmy invention: i

l. In a collapsible crate, a bottom, a top and sides, each havinglongitudinal and cross members, the cross members of the sides beinghinged to the cross members of the top and bottom, the longitudinalmembers of the sides being extended beyond the cross members thereof,the extending ends of the longitudinal side members being provided withreceiving means, end gate members comprising upright members and crossmembers projecting beyond the upright members and adapted to have theirends received in said receiving means, said lastnamed cross membersbeing spaced from each other, a locking member for each end memberarranged to be received between the spaced cross members of the endmember and to project between the longitudinal members of the sides.

2. In a collapsible crate, a bottom, a top and sides, each havinglongitudinal and cross members, the cross members of the sides beinghinged to the cross members of the top and bottom, the longitudinalmembers of the sides being extended beyond the cross members thereof,the extending ends of the longitudinal side members being provided withreceiving means, end gate members comprising upright members and crossmembers projecting beyond the upright members and adapted to have theirends received in said receiving means, said lastnamed cross membersbeing spaced from each other, a locking member for each end memberarranged to be received between the spaced cross members of the endmember and to project between the longitudinal members of the sides, andmeans for locking said last described member in assembled position.

In a collapsible crate, a bottom, a top and sides, each havinglongitudinal members and cross members, the crossmembers of the sidesbeing hinged to the cross members of the top and bottom, thelongitudinal members of the sides being extended beyond the crossmembers thereof` the extending ends of the longitudinal side membersbeing provided with receiving means, end gate members comprising uprightmembers and cross members projecting beyond the upright members andadapted to have their ends received in said receiving means, saidlast-namedcross members being spaced from each other, a locking memberfor each end member arranged to be received between' the spaced crossmembers of the end member and -toproject between the longitudinalmembers of the sides, the cross members of the crate'bei'ng arranged onthe inside thereof, whereby when the end members are removed andthecrate is collapsed, a compartment is formed between the longitudinalmembers for the reception of the end gate members and thelockinglmember.

' 4c. In a collapsible crate, a bottom having cross members and a bottommember resting thereon, sides having upright members, hinges connectingsaid upright members of the sides with the cross members of the bottom,longitudinal members outside the upright members of the sides andprojecting beyond said upright members, the projecting ends of saidlongitudinal members having receiving means, a top having cross membershinged to the upright members of the sides, longitudinal members abovethe cross members of the top, and gate members, each having uprightmembers adapted to be arranged between the extended ends of thelongitudinal side members, and having cross members projecting beyondsaid upright members of the ends, and adapted to 'have their endsreceived in said receiving members, a locking member for each endadapted to be received between the adjacent cross members of the endsand between adjacent longitudinal side members on each side of thecrate, whereby when the ends are removed and the crate is collapsed, thecrate, as collapsed, will have a flat top and bottom, and a fasteningdevice extended through an upright member of' an end and said lockingmeans.

5. In a collapsible crate, a bottom, a top and sides, each havinglongitudinal and cross members, the cross members of the sides beinghinged tothe cross members of the top and bottom, the longitudinalmembers of the sides being extended beyond the cross members thereof,the extending ends of the longitudinal side members being provided withreceiving means, end gate members comprising upright members and crossmembers projecting beyond the upright members and adapted to have theirends received in said receiving means, said lastnamed cross membersbeing spaced from each other, a locking member for each end memberarranged to be received between the spaced cross members of the endmember and to project between the longitudinal members of the sides, thebottom being such length. that the end gate members rest thereon, andthe parts being arranged so that the locking member always holds the endgate members against said bottom.

, 6., In a .collapsible crate, a bottom, a top and sides, each havinglongitudinal and cross members, thecross members of the sidesbeinghinged to the cross members of thertop and bottom, the longitudinalmembers of the sides being extended beyond the cross members thereof,the extending ends of the longitudinal side members being provided withreceiving means, end gate members comprising upright members and'crossVmembers VAprojecting bevond the uprightV members and adapted tohavetheir ends recelved 1n sald receiving means,l sald lastnamed crossmembers being spaced from,`

each other, a locking member for each end memberarranged to be receivedbetween the spaced cross members of the end ymember' and to projectbetween the. longitudinal members ofthe sides, the bottom being suchlength that the end gate'members rest thereonand the parts being soarranged that the locking member holds the end gate members against saidbottom, the horizontal members ofthe ends being arranged to register.with and'toy have their ends adjacent to the horizontal members of thesides for holding the crate rigid, when in its open assembled Yposition.Y Des Moines, Iowa, J ulv 7, 1920. 4 5

l Y FRANK .T DULTMEIER.

